Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
You’ve got questions…
We’ve got answers!
Today we are going to talk about how acupuncture may lower your blood pressure and how to safely refreeze foods.
Let’s dive in…
Does Acupuncture Lower Blood Pressure?
Hi Natalie,
I recently heard that acupuncture could lower blood pressure for some folks. Do you know if this is true?
Thanks,
Bonnie A.
Thanks for writing in, Bonnie.
Yes, according to some brand-new animal research from the University of California, Irvine, acupuncture may hold real promise for lowering blood pressure.
The study focused on electroacupuncture, a form of acupuncture that varies slightly from traditional acupuncture because it uses needles that carry a mild electric current.
During the experiment, researchers administered electroacupuncture to rats and then monitored their blood pressure levels. They quickly noted the rats experienced reduced blood pressure after the treatments.
And what was even more incredible, these results lasted for at least three days after the treatments!
After taking a closer look, the scientists found that electroacupuncture is so effective at lowering blood pressure because it activates natural chemicals that help reduce stress.
This is one of the first real studies on using electroacupuncture to lower blood pressure, but you can bet that more research (including on humans) will be coming.
In the meantime, if you’re considering acupuncture as a means to lower your blood pressure, you’ll probably need to check with your health care provider first and ask for a referral.
Is Refreezing Food Safe?
Hey Natalie,
I read all of your alerts on food-related illness. Thanks for always being on top them.
My question is… do you know if it’s safe to refreeze foods that have been thawed out? Some people say it’s safe and others say it isn’t. Can you clarify this for me?
Thanks,
Steve B.
Great question, Steve.
The answer is sometimes.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, any food that’s been thawed can be refrozen, granted it’s been thawed properly and hasn’t spoiled.
Proper thawing happens only in the fridge. This means any foods that have been thawed on the counter, in the sink or anywhere that’s room temperature should never make their way back to the freezer.
Why?
Because bacteria like warmth.
And they can multiply quickly at room temperature and could contaminate your food and make you very ill. This means meats that have been defrosted in the microwave or by running water over them also fall into the never refreeze category.
Even if you’re thawing properly in the fridge, double-check that your food isn’t spoiled before it goes to the deep freeze. Spoiled foods typically have a bad smell and may be slimy. If you have any concerns about this, click here to check out a food safety chart that shows how long specific foods can be kept in the fridge.
In addition, it’s also safe to refreeze any foods that are outside of the fridge for less than two hours and have been properly handled.
Keep in mind, though, refreezing food can change its texture and taste. This is especially true for things like baked goods, fruits and veggies.
Do you have any health questions you want answered? Drop me a line nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[1] Acupuncture lowers hypertension by activating opioids, study finds
